Ten Best: One-team Metros
December 19, 2011
Giovanni Savarese played for New England and San Jose. Amado Guevara, for Chivas USA and Toronto. Clint Mathis, Juan Pablo Angel, Mike Petke, Jeff Parke, Dave van den Bergh... Almost all of the greatest Metros of all-time have suited for another MLS team at one time or another. So let's look at the ones that haven't, the ten best players to only play for one MLS team: Metro. Tenure counts, but is not an end-all determiner.
10) Rhett Harty, 1996-98
Few remember that the much-beloved "Mr. Clean" was actually set to be traded to New England after the 1998 season, but decided to retire instead. Whew.
9) Jozy Altidore, 2006-08
We always have a soft spot for players who started their career here. He says that he will return... one day.
8) Roberto Donadoni, 1996-97
At the time, we thought that Donadoni was the beginning of the flood of Italian stars to Metro. We're still waiting for the second.
7) Youri Djorkaeff, 2005-06
The Frenchman's 2005 was beyond sublime. His 2006... Well, we'll always have 2005.
6) Joel Lindpere, 2010-
Here's hoping that the contract extension is hammered out, so the Estonian can keep climbing this list.
5) Carlos Mendes, 2005-11
Sigh. Now gone to Columbus, he had seen it all in his record-tying seven years with Metro. Obviously will be gone from this list when we choose to re-visit.
4) Seth Stammler, 2004-10
A rarity: he has only played for one professional team, Metro. His decision to retire early procluded him from getting the longevity record on his own.
3) Dane Richards, 2007-
He might move to Europe one day, but for now, five blazing seasons for the speedy Jamaican. Here's hoping we never have to face him in another MLS uniform.
2) Tab Ramos, 1996-2002
The first ever player to sign with MLS, he was a Metro before Metro was Metro. Ties Mendes and Stammler with seven seasons... if only those seven seasons were healthy.
1) Tim Howard, 1998-2003
A little-known Project-40 signing in 1998, now a starter for USA. He says he'd love to return... MLS, you better make sure he ends up here if he does!
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